Jury Conviction Leads to 25-Year Prison Sentence in Marion County Child Kidnapping Case

Salem, Ore. — April 17, 2026 — A Marion County man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison following his conviction in a child kidnapping case stemming from a 2025 incident in northeast Salem.

On Friday, Jodie Bureta of the Marion County Circuit Court sentenced Elijah G. Arce, 49, to 300 months in the Oregon Department of Corrections, followed by a lifetime of post-prison supervision. Arce will also be required to register as a sex offender.

The conviction stems from an August 5, 2025, incident in which a minor was reported missing from her family’s home in northeast Salem. According to investigators, Arce lured the child away and led her several blocks to a secluded area concealed by fencing and shrubbery.

Law enforcement officers canvassed the neighborhood, and a Salem Police Department K-9 named Trusty was deployed to assist in the search. A nearby resident, after learning of the missing child, began searching near the fairgrounds and discovered Arce with the child. The individual alerted officers, who entered the area through a cut in a fence, recovered the child safely, and took Arce into custody.

A Marion County jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts against Arce on multiple charges, including first-degree kidnapping, second-degree kidnapping, first-degree sexual abuse, attempted first-degree rape, and attempted unlawful delivery of methamphetamine.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Katharine Semple, who described the case as “a parent’s worst nightmare.”

Chief Deputy District Attorney Brendan Murphy echoed that sentiment, praising the community response and law enforcement efforts.

“This type of criminal behavior is intolerable,” Murphy said. “We will continue to aggressively prosecute these types of crimes, and Judge Bureta’s sentence reflects the severity of this violation.”

The Marion County District Attorney’s Office credited the Salem Police Department, including Detective Court Kirksey, for their swift response and investigation. Additional assistance was provided by the Keizer Police Department and the Oregon State Police, which supported search efforts and handled calls for service during the incident.

Due to the involvement of a minor, officials said no further details will be released.